Ignition mechanism for gas engines



W. L. DIFFENDORF.

IGNITION MECHANISM FOR GAS ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY I4. I920.

Patented Nov. 7, 1922;.

l,&84,685.

A TTORNEY Patented Nov. 7, 11922.

warren WALTER L. DKFFENDUEIF, 01F SAN DIIEGU, CALJHTQRNIA.

IGNITION MECHAINXSM FOR GAS ENGTNES.

Application filed July it,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that T, WALTER lL. Drrrnn- DORF, a citizen of the United States, residing at San Diego, in the county of San Diego and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tgnition Mechanism for Gas Engines, of which the followin is a specification.

My invention relates to an ignition mechanism for gas engines and the objects of my invention are: First, to provide an ignition mechanism in which the spark is operated by the piston on its inward stroke; second, to provide an ignition mechanism of this class in which the operating mechanism is in the cylinder thus reducing the noise; third, to provide an ignition mechanism of this class in which the spark is mechanically operated; fourth, to provide an ignition mechanism of this class in which a low tension voltage is utilized; fifth, to provide an ignition mech anism of this class in which the spark is caused by the separating movement of the parts and willspark under high compression in the cylinder and sixth, to provide an ignition mechanism of this class which 1s very simple and economical of construction, durable, easy to install, efiicient in its action and which will not readily deteriorate or get out of order.

With these and other objects in view as will appear hereinafter my invention con sists of certaiitr novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions as will be hereinafter described in detail and particularly set forth in the appended claims reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the characters of reference thereon which form a part of this application in which:

Figure 1 is a sectional view of an engine cylinder combustion chamber showing my ignition mechanism in position therein ready for use; Fig. 2 is a sectional vlew through 2-2 of Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 is a sectional View through 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Similar characters of reference refer to similar parts and portions throughout the several views of the drawings.

The plug 1, spring member 2, piston 3,contact member 4:, insulation 5, packing nut 6, electrode 7, conductor 8, spark coil 9 and battery 10 constitute the principal parts and portions of my ignition mechanism for gas engines.

The engine cylinder A is of the conven- 1920. Serial No. 336,192.

tional type, except that it is provided in the head end with a threaded hole adapted for the plug 1 to screw tightly therein. This plug 1 18 provided with a central hole in wh ch is mounted the insulation member which is secured in position and packed properly by means of the packing'nut 6. becuped 1n the insulation member 5 is the electrode 7 which extends from the outer end 9f the insulation member 5 and it is prov ded on its upper end with a nut 7 and a lock nut 7* between which is secured the terminal end of the conductor 8. This conductor 8 connects with a low tension spark coil which is electrically connected with a battery 10 and the other side of said battery is grounded preferably upon the engine body. The inner end of the electrode extends inwardly some distance then is turned at rlghtangles and on its extended end is provided a contact member 7 Extending from the plug 1 is a lug 1 which extends inwardly some dlstance and secured to this lug is an annular shaped spring 2 which is composed of cast iron and on its free end is provided a contact member 4 which is adapted to engagelthe contact member 7. The piston 3 is of the conventional form, except that it is provided with an extended lug 3 which extends upwardly and is adapted to engage the free end of said spring near the contact 4: with the inward stroke of the piston and separate the contact members 4: and 7 which provides a gap causing a spark between the two contact points operated mechanically by the inward movement of the piston.

Though I have shown and described a particular construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions I do not wish to be limited to this particular coristruction, combination and arrangement but desire to include in the purview of my invention the construction, combination and arrangement substantially as set forth in the appended claims.

It is obvious that with this construction there is provided an ignition mechanism for gas engines in which the gap for causing the spark is caused by the engagement of a portion of the piston in its inward movement; that the spring 2 being composed of cast iron will not warp from heat nor lose its inherent elastic quality; that a low tension voltage current is utilized passing from the battery through the low tension spark coil 9, conductor 8, electrode 7 contacts 7 and 4:, spring lot 2 and grounds on the engine cylinder and that when the lug 3 engages the free end of the spring member 2 the contact members 4 and 7 will be separated causing a spark for igniting the charge in the'combustion chamber of the engine cylinder.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An ignition mechanism for gas engines, including a source of electrical energy, a low tension spark coil in connection therewith, means for conducting the current of electricity through the head of acylinder to the combustion chamber provided with a. contact member, a cast iron annular shaped split spring with one end supported in said combustion chamber, a contact member secured on its free end so positioned that it tends to contact with said first mentioned contact member and means carried by the piston for separating said contact pointswith the inward movement of said piston.

2. A mechanism of the clam described, including a source of electrical energy, alow tension spark coil electrically connect-ed therewith, an electrode positioned in the head of the engine cylinder and extending from the outside to the interior thereof, a

contact member secured on the inner end of said electrode, a. cast iron annular shaped split spring with one end sup rted on the wall of the interior of the engine cylinder, a. contact member secured on its free end and means carried by the piston for engaging said yieldable member whereby said contact members are separated with the inward stroke of the piston.

3. A mechanism of the class described, including a plug secured in the head of the engine cylinder, an insulation member secured in said plug, an elect-rode secured in said insulation member and extending inwardly and outwardly therefrom, a contact member secured to the inner end of said electrode, a cast iron annular shaped split spring with one end secured to said plug, a contact mem- 4 her secured on its free end positioned to engage the contact on said electrode and a lug mounted on the piston adapted to engage the free end of said spring near said contact for separating said contacts with the inward movement of the piston.

In testimony whereof, I have hereuntoset my hand at San Diego, California, this 8th day of July 1920.

WALTER L. DIFFENDORF. 

